New Years Resolution

Minimalism, a Daily Habit.

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Minimalism is a thing these days, especially for those in my generation. I think we’ve all started to realize that we don’t need as much stuff as we think we do.

This year, one of my resolutions I made was to donate or throw away one item each day for a year. So far, this has been an easy process because I’ve needed to declutter for a while.

As I have thought about this resolution, I’ve considered: Why not just go through everything and pick out 365 (well 366 since it’s leap year) items to give get rid of? It’s definitely something to consider and then I would be done with that resolution for the year.

Yet, giving away something everyday really causes me to feel it because I have to intentionally find something to get rid of before the day is over. At the end of each day, I put one item either in the trash or in a donation bin, and as I do this, I am reminded that God provides all that I need and has graciously given me all that I have. Reducing my possessions to just those that I will have intentionally chosen to keep, reminds me that all I have belongs to God and I am a steward of His gifts. This is a daily habit I am creating in my life.

This resolution is so much more than just becoming a minimalist, setting a trend, or cleaning my room. This is about a deeper love, gratitude, and understanding for what has been given to me by God.

As a Christian, I believe that everything I have is from God. If God created all and is in charge of all, then He is also the one responsible for giving me all that I have. And yet, I don’t often live like this is true of my life.

When Jesus sent out His disciples, He told them not to take extra things with them for the journey. (See Matthew 10:9-15.)

“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.”

Matthew 10:9-10 (NIV)

These men were essentially told to go be homeless as they traveled for a while proclaiming the message of the Kingdom. Often, this is the passage that is quoted in connection with minimalists, saying that clearly Jesus wants us to only have a few things.

We also read about the man who Jesus told to go sell everything and then follow him. (See Matthew 19:16-22.)

Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Matthew 19:21 (ESV)

So it seems like Jesus was really into this whole minimalist trend! I mean, He told His disciples to get rid of extra luggage they wanted to bring along their journey and told a man to sell everything in order to follow Him. It seems, from these verses and others, that Jesus is either a minimalist or else He really wants to promote homelessness! 😉

But I don’t think the lack of possessions is the point in either of these stories. Instead, I think the point is about the space created in their lives to truly live out the gospel. Jesus was helping them create space in their lives to live fully human.

Being human is about dependence on God, because we are dependent on God for absolutely everything! He has given us breath in our lungs, formed our bodies, provided food we can eat that gives us nourishment and keeps us alive, and so much more! We are dependent on God in so many ways!

By giving away things that I have relied on in the past, there’s more space for me to practice active dependence on God. I am dependent on God not only for all the normal human physical things we need each day (air, water, food, sleep, etc.) but also dependent on God for the invisible things like love, acceptance, forgiveness, grace, and joy!

Minimizing my possessions has helped me become more grateful for and generous with the things I have. I truly believe that this is a Christian practice. By simplifying my life, I have more capacity, time, and space for the things that matter the most. It’s not an instant equation of give an item away = get more time with God/living more missionally with God. BUT it is progress…one degree of glory to the next, am I right?! And reducing the things I have creates a unique awareness of God’s presence in my life that I have really enjoyed experiencing.

So yes, minimizing is trending uphill right now in culture. It’s the newest thing to make your space look tidy, modern, and ready for the perfect Insta pic! But it’s so much more than that! Minimizing is about simplifying your life so you can increase space for the most important things in life. And I would argue, that includes the importance of being fully dependent on God.

How can you follow God in faithfulness in light of this? What does this look like in your life? Maybe it’s similar to my New Year’s resolution of reducing the things I have by creating a daily habit, in order to create space for the things that matter more. Maybe it’s something else! Either way, let’s be faithful men and women who seek after God not only with our all but with our very best!

Purpose.

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We all want to have a purpose in life, we want our life to matter in this world. Purpose is something I believe we are all searching for in life.

Some people find purpose in their jobs by reaching the highest positions and simply being really good at what they do. Some people find purpose in their families, seeking to raise children with good manors and kind hearts. Some people find purpose in their hobbies, by starting non-profits, giving their time up for charities, or traveling around the world. None of these things are bad. In fact, these are all really good things that most people should aspire to! We should all desire to be good at what we do, raise up families that are known for kindness and compassion, and use our talents and loves to make the world a better place.

But there is just something more when we think of the word purpose.

Purpose. It’s the reason we are created, the reason for existence. And there just has to be more in our purpose than being a good employee, having a good family, and doing the things we love. Purpose is something deeper because we want to matter in this world. We want to know why we were created and then live into that purpose!

For the year 2020, PURPOSE is my word. I want to know what my purpose is and live into it. I want to help others see their true purpose in life too. And I believe that the Bible answers the question: What is my purpose in life?

From the very beginning pages of the Bible, we see that our purpose was to be with God. Yet, sin entered the world causing a vast separation that could never be bridged… until Jesus! And now, because of Jesus, we can be with God again! So our purpose is to be with God!

Not only are we to simply be with God, but we are to be a reflection, an imitation, an image of God to a broken and lost world. The more you are around certain people the more you become like them. This is true about being with God too! The more you are with God, the more you will be like Him!

Purpose. It’s a big word, but it holds a lot of important meaning. And I believe that our purpose is to be with God and glorify Him forever! 1 Peter 2:9 is the verse that comes to mind and the verse I want to live into this year.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

And I pray this year you will find your purpose in God as well. I pray that you will know that God loves you, cares for you, and desires for you to be with Him!

New Year’s Resolutions.

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What’s your New Year’s Resolution this year!? Some people love New Year’s Resolutions and some do not. But almost all people do not follow through with them even if they make them.

A resolution is firm decision to do something or to not do something, to start something or stop something. Common resolutions are typically things like… eat healthier, go to the gym more, or get out of debt. These are all great things, but they seem to fail us. One reason I think these fail is because they are not measurable, so there is no way to be held accountable for reaching these resolutions.

But I think resolutions are important. They help establish rhythms of life and keep your focus on the right things. Resolutions show that you are passionate about something specific and will fight for that thing to be made right. Resolutions could also be considered as “habits.”

So, why do we only make resolutions or good, healthy habits, with the start of a new year? Why can’t we make a new resolution whenever we feel ourselves slipping into a direction we do not want to go or falling out of a good rhythm of life?

Resolutions do not need to be made only with the start of a new year, or a new decade. They can be made all throughout the year! But with the start of a new year, I want to encourage you to think about who you want to become this year and just take one step. Then next month, re-evaluate that step, change it, add to it, do what you need to so that you are still taking steps to who you want to become. Begin new habits and quit poor ones that do not add anything good to your life.

As you decide on this year’s resolution, or maybe just this month’s new habit, consider spending time with God. Ask Him who He wants you to become, and then go in that direction with Him. He loves you, friend. And I bet He has a much better and bigger idea for your life than you can imagine!

Happy New Year! And best of luck on those resolutions! Here are a few of mine for 2020:

  • Read through the Bible in a year.
  • Get off of Instagram for a year.
  • Simplify by donating one thing each day.